Julie Schmidt: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: ElginWebsite: http://www.electjulieschmidt.com/Office sought: Elgin City Council Age: 53Family: SingleOccupation: Self-employedEducation: MBA in Finance-Keller Graduate School of Management; BS in Communications Technology with a Minor in Computer Science-UW Platteville; ABA approved Paralegal-ECCCivic involvement: Elgin OCTAVE; League of Women Voters of the Elgin Area: Women In Management of the Fox Valley; Elgin Township Republican (ETR) Central Committee-Treasurer; ETR Precinct Committeewoman; Elgin Citizens Police Academy Graduate; Volunteer for various political campaignsElected offices held: Republican Precinct Committeewoman EL25Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I will apply over 25 years of skills, experience and education as a successful businesswoman to make local government work for the people it serves; a natural curiosity to discover the facts of a given situation; my motivated ability that drives me to learn new things and continually improve circumstances/processes; and, my decade of involvement in the community with successful activism over the past several years holding local government fiscally accountable. I've served as a board member of the League of Women Voters of Elgin, Women in Management of the Fox Valley, and most recently, Elgin Octave which was instrumental in stopping the Rain Tax and defunding the Elgin Business License. I'm also a graduate of the Elgin Citizens Police Academy. I have an extensive educational background with an MBA in Finance (graduated with distinction; nominated for a national award for leadership, strength of character, and the pursuit of excellence), Bachelor's in Communications Technology with a Minor in Computer Science and a Paralegal degree (graduated with high honors) offering voters a candidate with a unique blend of understanding not only the significance of the financial aspects of governing, but the legal dimensions as well.City Manager Sean Stegaall says that the city's property tax levy -- which is staying flat this year -- is projected to increase by 5 percent in 2016 and 2017 unless cuts are made to public safety. However, some believe public safety budgets are untouchable. What is your stance? Would you make such cuts? If not, what alternatives would you propose?I recall Mr. Stegall mentioning his perspective on the potential of cuts to public safety in previous budget discussions. My position is that nothing is untouchable. A budget is merely a means to achieve the priorities which are established. I would work to re-prioritize the objectives and operations of the city to align with reasonable taxation for the delivery of core services--law and order; infrastructure, and carefully defined community and business development activities. To continually grow government at a pace far beyond CPI plus population growth is unnecessary and unsustainable. The ever spiraling upward movement of salaries and benefits which consume over 60% of the budget, along with an unfunded pension liability that surpasses $150M, is a recipe for fiscal insolvency.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.If one defines "public safety" as the delivery of Police and Fire services, I rarely encounter concerns in discussions with friends and neighbors. I have encountered a concern with the growing amount of money the City is collecting in taxes. With the multitude of revenue diversification sources that have been added since 2011, I hear more about fiscal issues than public safety. I would suggest re-prioritizing the objectives and operations of the city to align with reasonable taxation for the delivery of core services--law and order; infrastructure, and carefully defined community and business development activities.The city of Elgin has invested resources into promoting arts and entertainment downtown, which Mayor David Kaptain and others believe can be a long-term economic engine . Do you agree with the approach? If so, why? If not, what would you propose instead?No. I would propose creating an overall environment of lower taxation, simplified regulation and streamlined business initiation processes to inspire profit oriented businesses to open in Elgin versus sinking more taxpayer money into the arts and entertainment. Elgin will most likely be at a 10% unemployment rate at the end of January once the seasonally adjusted figures are compiled. While the arts and entertainment can be somewhat of a draw for a certain portion of the population, what Elgin citizens need are good paying jobs in for-profit businesses. While local government does not create jobs, it can create an environment that is conducive to inspiring businesses to want to become a part of our community. We have excellent educational institutions in ECC and Judson; close proximity to Chicago; transportation access with Interstate 90, Metra, and O'Hare; growing potential in a revitalized riverfront; and open land to the west to expand business and residential real estate. These are all factors that can contribute to a truly sustainable economic engine.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Ordinance restructuring: Implementation of simple, understandable and predictable regulations enforced vigorously and equitably. Every ordinance would have an explanation as to why it was created, what it is to accomplish along with an objectively measurable metric, and sunset clause. I want more ordinances coming off the books than ones that are going on. I would have every department review all current regulations that affect the public and ask two questions: Is the regulation accomplishing what it was intended to? Is it necessary anymore? Government is comprised of two core elements, regulation and taxation. I want to restructure the former and reduce the latter.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?1.Business initiation process streamlining to 90 days. 2.Continually increasing transparency by adding easily understandable information to the website, not merely dropping information into the "Document Center." 3.Continual cycle of improvement utilizing technology to enhance all departmental operations. 4.Expansion of the outsourcing of services where it makes economic sense to do so. 5.Reduction in overall taxation by re-prioritizing local government's focus. My desire is to reinvent the processes of government, while reinvigorating first principles where government is a servant of the people.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Scott Walker. He made a tough decision which took courage to put Wisconsin's fiscal house in order and place the state on a positive path.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?While all people are owed the dignity a human life is entitled to, not all are deserving of respect.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Shares of Google and Apple very early on.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Physics, because I'm naturally curious about how things works.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Try out multiple things of interest to you that offer the potential of financial provision when you are young, and always save a little money.